Intelligence Hub | Category Market Intelligence

Decision at a glance

Top move

Motor-bearing retrofit guidance (shaft grounding, insulated bearings) is a practical, low-effort way to reduce unplanned motor failures and emergency consumable spend; add these items to motor spare lists where motors and VSDs create shaft currents

Key takeaways

Motor-bearing retrofit guidance (shaft grounding, insulated bearings) is a practical, low-effort way to reduce unplanned motor failures and emergency consumable spend; add these items to motor spare lists where motors and VSDs create shaft currents.[4]
Active DCS and automation modernisations convert generic consumable demand into higher‑value, uptime‑critical control spares and create new firmware/OT patch obligations that belong in contracts and SLAs.[3]
Valves, sensors and the ‘last metre’ of instrumentation need lifecycle clauses (commissioning handover, spare provisioning, maintenance obligations) to avoid higher long‑term consumable and energy costs.[2]

Why this matters for the category manager

Motor-bearing retrofit guidance (shaft grounding, insulated bearings) is a practical, low-effort way to reduce unplanned motor failures and emergency consumable spend; add these items to motor spare lists where motors and VSDs create shaft currents. Active DCS and automation modernisations convert generic consumable demand into higher‑value, uptime‑critical control spares and create new firmware/OT patch obligations that belong in contracts and SLAs. Valves, sensors and the ‘last metre’ of instrumentation need lifecycle clauses (commissioning handover, spare provisioning, maintenance obligations) to avoid higher long‑term consumable and energy costs. Battery energy storage trends make BESS and power‑electronics spares a distinct consumable category with different lifecycle, safety and disposal requirements—treat forecasts as directional for spare planning

What changed

Added explicit motor-bearing retrofit guidance (shaft grounding devices / insulated bearings) as a spare and retrofit option based on ABB technical guidance (Article 4).
Added BESS as a medium-term demand driver for power‑electronics spares and lifecycle planning (Article 5).
Reinforced DCS/automation upgrade guidance with recent supplier-led modernisation examples that increase spare-part criticality (Article 3).

Category impact

Cost / money

Shifting from generic consumables to control and power-electronics parts increases unit-cost exposure and reduces spot-buy flexibility; expect a need for upfront stocking or consignment options.[3]
BESS introduces recurring specialist replacement and repair costs distinct from legacy electrical consumables and may require separate lifecycle budgeting and disposal planning.[5]

Supplier / commercial

Automation and DCS suppliers are likely to seek longer service terms, minimum-stock commitments or consignment arrangements to guarantee parts during rollouts; buyers should expect negotiations on scope and pass-throughs.[3]
Enforcing lifecycle and commissioning obligations for valves/instrumentation opens opportunity to negotiate bundled spares+support, but vendors may push minimum orders or shorter quote-validity windows.[2]

Safety / operations

Specifying shaft grounding devices and insulated bearings reduces motor bearing damage from VSD-induced shaft currents, lowering unplanned stops and unsafe, hurried interventions.[4]
Modernisation increases dependence on firmware, OT security and remote diagnostics; missing contractual patch and cyber obligations can create operational safety and availability gaps.[3]

What to watch

Vendor PR, supplier-supplied content and conference coverage can overstate timelines and create false project signals; validate tender windows before changing inventory or contract commitments.[3]
BESS growth projections are market-forecast based and depend on policy and utility procurement; treat them as directional for planning, not an immediate inventory mandate.[5]

Category manager actions

Action detail for this brief

Today's priorities

Map active and planned DCS/control upgrades and sites considering battery storage to identify which site spare lists and SLAs need review.

because DCS modernisations and BESS deployments change spare requirements and uptime dependency, and mapping prioritises where RFQ and stocking updates are needed.

Due 3d

high

Request confirmation from motor and automation suppliers on availability, lead times and stocking options for shaft‑grounding devices and insulated bearings (preinstalled or ret...

because these retrofit items are a practical way to reduce bearing failures and emergency spend, and lead‑time clarity prevents last‑minute premium purchases.

Due 3d

high

Update RFQ and SOW templates to require commissioning handover, spare lists for valves/sensors, firmware/patch obligations and options for consignment or minimum-stock commitments.

because lifecycle and cyber gaps in procurements increase corrective work and supplier disputes during commissioning and operations.

Due 21d

high

Supplier radar

Processonline

high

Observed supplier signal

Automation and DCS suppliers are likely to seek longer service terms, minimum-stock commitments or consignment arrangements to guarantee parts during rollouts; buyers should expect negotiations on scope and pass-throughs.

Commercial implication

Automation and DCS suppliers are likely to seek longer service terms, minimum-stock commitments or consignment arrangements to guarantee parts during rollouts; buyers should expect negotiations on scope and pass-throughs.

Next step: Validate the source-backed signal with incumbents and alternates before the next award or pricing decision.

Processonline

high

Observed supplier signal

Enforcing lifecycle and commissioning obligations for valves/instrumentation opens opportunity to negotiate bundled spares+support, but vendors may push minimum orders or shorter quote-validity windows.

Commercial implication

Enforcing lifecycle and commissioning obligations for valves/instrumentation opens opportunity to negotiate bundled spares+support, but vendors may push minimum orders or shorter quote-validity windows.

Next step: Validate the source-backed signal with incumbents and alternates before the next award or pricing decision.

Negotiation levers

Lever

Map active and planned DCS/control upgrades and sites considering battery storage to identify which site spare lists and SLAs need review.

Use when

because DCS modernisations and BESS deployments change spare requirements and uptime dependency, and mapping prioritises where RFQ and stocking updates are needed.

Expected outcome

Prioritised site register listing sites that need revised spare lists and SLA focus

high confidence

Lever

Request confirmation from motor and automation suppliers on availability, lead times and stocking options for shaft‑grounding devices and insulated bearings (preinstalled or ret...

Use when

because these retrofit items are a practical way to reduce bearing failures and emergency spend, and lead‑time clarity prevents last‑minute premium purchases.

Expected outcome

Documented supplier responses listing availability, lead times and consignment/stocking options for bearing-protection items

high confidence

Lever

Update RFQ and SOW templates to require commissioning handover, spare lists for valves/sensors, firmware/patch obligations and options for consignment or minimum-stock commitments.

Use when

because lifecycle and cyber gaps in procurements increase corrective work and supplier disputes during commissioning and operations.

Expected outcome

Revised RFQs and SOWs that enforce spare provisioning, commissioning handover and firmware/patch responsibilities

high confidence

Talking points

Motor-bearing retrofit guidance (shaft grounding, insulated bearings) is a practical, low-effort way to reduce unplanned motor failures and emergency consumable spend; add these items to motor spare lists where motors and VSDs create shaft currents.

Active DCS and automation modernisations convert generic consumable demand into higher‑value, uptime‑critical control spares and create new firmware/OT patch obligations that belong in contracts and SLAs.

Valves, sensors and the ‘last metre’ of instrumentation need lifecycle clauses (commissioning handover, spare provisioning, maintenance obligations) to avoid higher long‑term consumable and energy costs.

Recommended actions

Do now

Map active and planned DCS/control upgrades and sites considering battery storage to identify which site spare lists and SLAs need review.
Why: because DCS modernisations and BESS deployments change spare requirements and uptime dependency, and mapping prioritises where RFQ and stocking updates are needed.
Owner: Category
Expected outcome: Prioritised site register listing sites that need revised spare lists and SLA focus
[3]
Request confirmation from motor and automation suppliers on availability, lead times and stocking options for shaft‑grounding devices and insulated bearings (preinstalled or ret...
Why: because these retrofit items are a practical way to reduce bearing failures and emergency spend, and lead‑time clarity prevents last‑minute premium purchases.
Owner: Contracts
Expected outcome: Documented supplier responses listing availability, lead times and consignment/stocking options for bearing-protection items
[4]

Next few weeks

Update RFQ and SOW templates to require commissioning handover, spare lists for valves/sensors, firmware/patch obligations and options for consignment or minimum-stock commitments.
Why: because lifecycle and cyber gaps in procurements increase corrective work and supplier disputes during commissioning and operations.
Owner: Contracts
Expected outcome: Revised RFQs and SOWs that enforce spare provisioning, commissioning handover and firmware/patch responsibilities
[2]
Pilot a consignment or guaranteed‑availability spares agreement for critical motor and control components at a cluster of sites to test supplier terms.
Why: because a pilot shows whether supplier commercial terms reliably reduce emergency mobilisations and improve response without committing framework-wide.
Owner: Category
Expected outcome: Pilot agreement demonstrating supplier stock commitment and measurable lead-time improvement for critical spares
[4]

Watch

Host a supplier workshop to harmonise consumable specs across valves, instrumentation and control spares and to negotiate standard SKUs, consignment options and SLA templates.
Why: because standardised specifications increase buyer leverage, reduce SKU sprawl and make consignment and SLA negotiations effective at scale.
Owner: Category
Expected outcome: Consolidated specification pack and supplier commitments to standard SKUs, consignment terms and improved negotiation leverage
[2]

What to watch

Vendor PR, supplier-supplied content and conference coverage can overstate timelines and create false project signals; validate tender windows before changing inventory or contract commitments
BESS growth projections are market-forecast based and depend on policy and utility procurement; treat them as directional for planning, not an immediate inventory mandate
Vendor PR, supplier-supplied content and conference coverage can overstate timelines and create false project signals; validate tender windows before changing inventory or contract commitments.: Vendor PR, supplier-supplied content and conference coverage can overstate timelines and create false project signals; validate tender windows before changing inventory or contract commitments
BESS growth projections are market-forecast based and depend on policy and utility procurement; treat them as directional for planning, not an immediate inventory mandate.: BESS growth projections are market-forecast based and depend on policy and utility procurement; treat them as directional for planning, not an immediate inventory mandate
Motor-bearing retrofit guidance (shaft grounding, insulated bearings) is a practical, low-effort way to reduce unplanned motor failures and emergency consumable spend; add these items to motor spare lists where motors and VSDs create shaft currents
Active DCS and automation modernisations convert generic consumable demand into higher‑value, uptime‑critical control spares and create new firmware/OT patch obligations that belong in contracts and SLAs
Valves, sensors and the ‘last metre’ of instrumentation need lifecycle clauses (commissioning handover, spare provisioning, maintenance obligations) to avoid higher long‑term consumable and energy costs
Battery energy storage trends make BESS and power‑electronics spares a distinct consumable category with different lifecycle, safety and disposal requirements—treat forecasts as directional for spare planning

Top stories

Story 1Processonline

The Magazine :: Process Online

Signal moderateSource-grounded

Source notes [1]Read source

What happened

Process Technology magazine and the Process Online channel publish regular technical guidance on topics such as motor bearing life, OT cyber risk and IIoT practices. The outlet is delivered every two months with a weekly eNewsletter, making it a recurring source of practical fixes and checklists that procurement teams can fold into spec and RFQ updates. Watch which themes convert into formal project tenders versus remaining general guidance

Why the category manager should care

Use the trade press to source practical fixes and checklist items for specs and RFQs, but verify project-level intent before committing inventory changes

Key facts

Magazine delivered every two months and weekly eNewsletter distribution
Regular topics: motor bearings, OT cyber risk, IIoT and commissioning best practice

Story 2Processonline

Valves, data centres and the invisible infrastructure of Australian industry

Signal moderateSource-grounded

Source notes [2]Read source

What happened

An opinion piece stresses that valves, sensors and local control loops are the often-overlooked levers that determine plant energy, water and safety performance. It argues for early involvement of operations and automation teams and lifecycle attention from installation through replacement. Procurement should add commissioning handover and spare-provision obligations into purchase and service contracts

Why the category manager should care

Insist on commissioning handover, spare provisioning and lifecycle clauses when buying valves and instrumentation because this preserves performance and reduces reactive spend

Key facts

Argues lifecycle attention from installation through replacement is essential
Highlights the 'last metre' (valves/sensors) as a strategic lever for energy and water outcomes

Story 3Processonline

Process control systems :: Process Online

Signal strongSource-grounded

Source notes [3]Read source

What happened

Process Online’s process-control section lists recent DCS and automation modernisation examples in Australia, including supplier-led upgrade projects that are underway. These items show active modernisation work that shifts spare-part needs toward control hardware and creates execution dependency during rollouts. Watch supplier SLAs, firmware obligations and rollout cadence (cluster vs site) to judge procurement exposure

Why the category manager should care

Treat announced DCS upgrades as real demand that changes spare lists and SLA needs because supplier rollouts create execution dependency and firmware/patch obligations

Key facts

Multiple DCS and control-system upgrade examples across Australian sites
Supplier-supplied modernization work increases demand for control hardware and associated spares

Story 4Processonline

How to extend the life of your motor bearings

Signal strongSource-grounded

Source notes [4]Read source

What happened

An ABB technical piece explains how variable speed drives can create shaft currents that shorten motor bearing life and recommends shaft grounding devices and insulated bearings as mitigation. The article gives concrete installation guidance including preinstalling grounding devices and using insulated bearings on larger motors. Procurement should consider adding these protection items to motor purchase and spare lists and ask suppliers about preinstalled options or retrofit kits

Why the category manager should care

Add shaft-grounding devices and insulated-bearing options to motor purchase and spare lists because they materially cut bearing-failure risk and emergency consumable spend

Key facts

Explains common-mode voltage and shaft current as a bearing damage mechanism
Recommends preinstalled shaft grounding devices and insulated bearings; explicit guidance for

Story 5Processonline

Battery energy storage set to rise sixfold by 2030

Signal moderateSource-grounded

Source notes [5]Read source

What happened

A GlobalData-based report covered in Process Online projects strong growth in battery energy storage and a shift toward multi-hour systems and solar-plus-storage co-location, making batteries and power-electronics a more material part of site power architecture. The trend increases demand for battery modules, battery management systems and converters and changes interconnection and replacement planning. Procurement should treat BESS as a new consumable category that requires separate lifecycle, safety and disposal clauses

Why the category manager should care

Plan spare strategies for BESS components (battery modules, BMS, converters) because these differ from legacy electrical spares and have distinct lifecycle and replacement profiles

Key facts

GlobalData projects a multi-fold increase in installed BESS capacity
Trend toward four-hour systems and co-located solar-plus-storage becoming default

Market pulse

Index	Latest	Change	As of
HRC Steel (HRC)	740 /ton	+0.00 (+0.00%)	Aug 10, 2026, 10:07 PM
Copper (COPPER)	3.85 /lb	+0.00 (+0.00%)	Aug 10, 2026, 10:07 PM
Iron Ore (IRON)	108.5 /t	+0.00 (+0.00%)	Aug 10, 2026, 10:07 PM
Grainger (GWW)	920	+0.00 (+0.00%)	Aug 10, 2026, 10:07 PM
Fastenal (FAST)	68	+0.00 (+0.00%)	Aug 10, 2026, 10:07 PM

HRC Steel: HRC steel price movement affects cost of valve bodies, fasteners and metal consumables used in retrofits and valve replacements
Grainger: Grainger channel trends indicate demand shifts for electrical and mechanical spares; watch distribution lead times and SKU availability for quick replenishment

Evidence and sources

Inline citations jump here. Expand a source to read stored evidence excerpts.

[1] The Magazine :: Process Online

processonline.com.au · n.d.

Original linkExpand

Source excerpts

Process Technology Fuel your process technology knowledge with the industry's most trusted resource. Process Technology magazine, delivered every two months in print and digital formats, provides industry updates and expert insights to automation, control and instrumentation professionals across diverse industries including food, mining, manufacturing, water, oil & gas, utilities and infrastructure

Interview with Jimmy Martin, Chief Executive Officer, AMCS Group Towards greener and economical desalination solutions Developing low-cost, low-emission ironmaking technology Every time you update an OT network your cyber risk increases PDF Harnessing generative AI for predictive maintenance Level measurement in water and wastewater lift stations Smart meter verification for magnetic flow meters Securing industrial networks From wartime wisdom to smart manufacturing PDF Robotics and automation transforming food

au/subscribe The important role of software engineering in industry Decarbonising compressed air Demystifying zero trust in OT How to extend the life of your motor bearings Australia must rethink the foundations of industrial automation PDF How to centralise remote access Ensuring reliable level measurement in tanks with internal obstructions Calibration explained Is machine monitoring worthwhile? AI won’t restart your plant: Why practical skills matter more than ever PDF Seeing with AI Open Process Automation

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[2] Valves, data centres and the invisible infrastructure of Australian industry

processonline.com.au · n.d.

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Source excerpts

More consideration needs to be given to the full instrumentation and valve lifecycle, from installation through commissioning, maintenance, optimisation and, when needed, replacement, so that a plant’s performance in year 10 is equivalent to year one

Simply, we are over‑investing in dashboards and under‑investing in instrumentation and control. We are trying to build digital twins on foundations of uncertain measurements, orphaned valves and aging control panels

Valves, sensors and control cabinets are not glamorous, but they are where energy, water and product are won or lost, year after year. My challenge to leaders in manufacturing, processing, mining and digital infrastructure is this: bring your operations and automation teams into strategic discussions early

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[3] Process control systems :: Process Online

processonline.com.au · n.d.

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Source excerpts

Process control systems Going for gold: mine upgrades DCS for long‍-‍term efficiency 10 August, 2026 | Supplied by: Rockwell Automation Australia Everest Metals Corporation's Revere Gold project in Western Australia has upgraded its DCS for real‍-‍time diagnostics, minimised downtime and improved plantwide control

Fisher IC2 cryogenic top-entry control valve 04 May, 2026 | Supplied by: Emerson The Fisher IC2 cryogenic top-entry control valve is designed for cold box applications in air separation units, hydrogen liquefaction and LNG production

Valves, data centres and the invisible infrastructure of Australian industry 19 June, 2026 by Cuong Vo* | Supplied by: Burkert Fluid Control Systems If we are serious about making Australian industry both competitive and sustainable, we have to respect the 'boring' parts of the system

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[4] How to extend the life of your motor bearings

processonline.com.au · n.d.

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Source excerpts

A shaft ground is essentially a means to connect the turning rotor of the motor to earth ground via the frame of the motor. Adding a shaft grounding device to the motor prior to installation (or buying a motor with one preinstalled) can be a small price to pay when compared to the price tag of maintenance costs associated with bearing replacement, not to mention the high costs of downtime in a facility

On motors larger than 75 kW, it is generally recommended that an insulated bearing be installed on the opposite end of the motor on which the shaft grounding device is installed, regardless of which style of shaft grounding is used. Table 1: Pros and cons of shaft grounding methods

Other drawbacks are the cost for this style of motor bearing and the fact that the bearings are usually available only up to size 6311. On motors larger than 75 kW, it is generally recommended that an insulated bearing be installed on the opposite end of the motor on which the shaft grounding device is installed, regardless of which style of shaft grounding is used

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[5] Battery energy storage set to rise sixfold by 2030

processonline.com.au · n.d.

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Source excerpts

The combined share of the two countries in global BESS capacity stood at 74. 6% at the end of 2025, driven by supportive regulatory frameworks, massive utility-scale procurement and aggressive clean energy mandates

One trend observed by Rehaan Shiledar, Power Analyst at GlobalData, is that the global power sector is increasingly adopting a standard of four-hour battery energy storage systems rather than two-hour designs

“BESS is expected to become a main back-up and balancing tool for data centres, moving beyond brief uninterruptible power supply (UPS) support,” Shiledar said. “It actively manages power between the grid and IT equipment, protecting systems from grid problems and onsite power limits

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[6] HRC Steel

cmegroup.com · n.d.

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No stored excerpt is attached to this source.

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[7] Grainger

finance.yahoo.com · n.d.

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No stored excerpt is attached to this source.

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